Art meets science

Terry Hummel on Visual Arts

July 17, 2009|By Terry Hummel, Visual Arts columnist

Some would say that the real beginnings of modern art were during the Renaissance, if for no other reason than the advancements made in the materials used to make art. Art was part alchemy; advances in art led to progress in sciences such as optics, astronomy, physiology, medicine, physics and chemistry, which in turn improved artistic perspective, color retention of paints, printing methods and papers. The same person could be artist, scientist, philosopher, mathematician, engineer and social reformer. So, it should be no surprise that the Orlando Science Center will host "Cocktails & Cosmos: Where Science Meets the Arts" Saturday 6-10 p.m., with art, music and performance/dance. There will be laser light shows paired with rock n' roll, a live explosion show, drink specials, dance performances by Voci, art by Consuelo Bellini and Doug Rhodehamel, music by DJ Nigel John and more. All of this is included in your regular $13 general admission (free for OSC members). In addition, parents can enjoy a "date night" -- OSC provides child care that includes dinner and activities beginning at 5 p.m.) for $25 for first child and $20 for additional siblings. Details: 407-514-2000.

You can spend Saturday afternoon, 1-5 p.m., in Sanford at Jeanine Taylor's 8th annual Art in the Garden. This began as a marketing effort between Jeanine Taylor Folk Art and Apenberry's garden shop/nursery after 9/11, when art sales ground to a halt. Jeanine will convert Gallery on First (211 E. First St.) into a fantastical garden of live plants from Apenberry's, with furniture and antiques from Washburn Imports, and folk art and artists from all over the South. It always amazes me at how cool the typically indoor art looks in a garden setting. I think you'll really enjoy this event, which hangs until Aug. 30. Call 407-323-2774 for details.

Celebrating women

Just north of Sanford is the Gateway Center for the Arts (880 N. Hwy. 17-92, in DeBary, 386-668-5553). Meet the artists at the opening reception Sunday, 2-4 p.m., for this juried show celebrating women artists. The show hangs until Aug. 16.

Eola Art Farm

The 3rd Sunday of each month is Art Farm at the Orlando Farmers' Market (corner of Central and Eola Drive, downtown in Eola Park). The farmers market happens every Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., but artists are invited to show once each month (like this Sunday). I go every month, and there have been several really good artists there each time.

Take on 'Take Out'

The Brevard Art Museum (1463 Highland Ave., Melbourne, 321-242-0737) provides free hands-on kids' art activities every Thursday (through Aug. 6), 4-5 p.m. This is in conjunction with the museum's current "Take Out" exhibition, which invited artists from across the United States to create art from restaurant take-out containers. There is a second exhibition at the museum, "From Gutter to Gallery: Graffiti Gets In," which explores the intricacies, influences and undercurrents of graffiti culture. As part of this exhibit, there will be a gallery walk with Miami graffiti artist Cynic, and a book-signing for Miami Graffiti by James and Karla Murray on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.

Orlando, 1 sketch at a time

Meet Thomas Thorspecken as he sketches Orlando scenes live, once a day, every day. for a year. OrlandoSentinel.com/arts

Terry Hummel is an Orlando artist. He can be reached at sentinelvisualarts@cfl.rr.com.